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Pumping and supply

Hi,
I have a 12-week-old and am a SAHM. I used to pump once a day to build a freezer stash so that I could get outside in the evenings when hubby is home, and he could feed the baby, who often eats "all evening."

I have struggled to regulate my supply (oversupply) and I know pumping stimulates milk production. LO ended up very fussy because of what I thought was an extremely increased oversupply and thus so much foremilk he couldn't get the fattier stuff at the end.

Anyway, I quit pumping for that reason and just figured it wasn't worth the hassle just so I could have "alone time." (plus "he doesn't take a bottle" is a perfect excuse not to leave him with crazy relatives! ) Since then LO has been soooo much more comfortable and I've only gotten engorged once a day. Phew.

Is there any way for me to pump WITHOUT getting a crazy oversupply again? Aside from being able to leave for a few hours, I'd like to have a stash "just in case," for any reason, I couldn't breastfeed (medication, etc.).

Re: Pumping and supply

Since you tend to have oversupply - are there times of the day (like the morning) when he just nurses on one side? You could use a small manual pump to pump the side he didn't nurse from. I did this with DD in the beginning before my supply regulated and got quite a bit for a freezer stash just by doing that each morning when she would only nurse from one side. That may not exacerbate your oversupply as much as a separate pumping session. Just a thought.

Re: Pumping and supply

Thanks! I have about 8 oz saved now. I was up to 16, but wasted some trying unsuccessfully to give him a bottle (Medela Calma--I had to start with the breast and 'sneak' the bottle in, which defeats the purpose of me giving a bottle in the first place). I usually got about an ounce from pumping. He used to just nurse on one side each feeding, but he's moved to usually doing both except in the morning. Maybe I'll try again. As long as feeding a bottle doesn't have to be a regular occurence? Maybe it depends on the baby.